Chapter 5

Caerwen

Their feet hit the ground in front of an ornate iron gate in the middle of an expansive and very high brick wall. Rodolphus waved his wand toward the lock and the gates slowly creaked open.

"We can apparated closer once we are on the grounds."

He motioned her to follow him up the tree lined drive. She complied, but had questions.

"Where are we? "

In reply, Rodolphus grabbed her hand and, without warning, apparated to their final destination.

When they arrived, Bella was stunned by what she saw. They were standing in front of a large estate constructed of white stone.

Rodolphus was pleased by her awestruck expression, though it was rare for anyone to see the house for the first time not be impressed by its elegance and grandeur.

"Welcome to Caerwen."

Bella wasn't sure what was going on,

"Caerwen is a house? The Dark Lord wants us to use this place to blast spells at one another? Unless it's a complete dump on the inside, I don't think this is really the place for such activity."

Rodolphus scowled and replied indignantly,

"I assure you, it is not a dump inside, far from it actually."

They stepped inside the foyer that was dominated by a sweeping double staircase. Within seconds an elf scurried forward and gave a low bow.

"Greetings, Master."

Bella raised an eyebrow.

"Master? You don't mean to tell me that you live here?"

Rodolphus gave her a smug grin.

"Of course I live here. Surely this meets with your high standards as a member of the most noble house of Black."

Bella doubted his claim.

"An apartment in an old estate does not impress me."

Rodolphus motioned for her to follow him as he replied haughtily,

"An apartment? I own this whole estate, you idiot girl! This house has been in my family for over 300 years."

He led her into a library with dark wooden bookcases and well worn leather chairs. A cart fully stocked with a variety of decanters stood in front of a leaded glass picture window that looked out onto the expansive grounds. Rodolphus dropped ice into cut crystal glasses and poured out two generous measures of perfectly aged scotch. Bella took the offered glass and immediately took a long draught. The same elf that had greeted them in the foyer now appeared carrying a tray of assorted sandwiches.

"Does master require anything else?"

Rodolphus surveyed the tray and, finding it to his satisfaction, waved the elf away. He motioned for Bella to help herself and, still a bit stunned, she silently took some lunch and sat in a chair by the hearth.

They ate in silence for several minutes until Rodolphus remarked,

"I had no idea that the house would render you so quiet. Maybe I should bring women home more often."

Bella scoffed,

"I shudder to think of the parade of whores who have sat in this very chair before myself. "

Rodolphus took a long draw of his drink before he answered seriously,

"I am rather particular about the people I allow into my home. I go to them; they generally do not come to me."

Bella didn't believe that for one minute.

"How can you have this gorgeous house and not have grand parties? How can you, the great womanizer, not use this impressive venue to woo your conquests?"

Rodolphus cracked a sly little smile,

"I don't need to flaunt my big house to woo the ladies, I have other big assets that do the job equally as well. "

Bella rolled her eyes and got up to pour herself another drink. She brought the decanter over and filled Rodolphus's as well and noticed that his smile had been replaced by a sulking scowl. Bella returned the decanter to the cart and gazed out the window as she spoke.

"I don't understand the Dark Lord. First he tells us to stay away from each other, which suits us both just fine, then he decides we need to spend more time hurling curses at each other but without the pleasure of someone", she turned and looked pointedly at Rodolphus to indicate who she meant, "dying."

Rodolphus shook his head impatiently,

"The one thing you need to understand is that this is about more than just training. Don't forget that I have known the Dark Lord since we were at Hogwarts together and he has complexities that you can only imagine. I'm not sure what his ulterior motive is, but you can bet he has one."

Bella, her expression grim, replied.

"This feels like a test, or a trap."

Rodolphus mirrored her expression.

"I believe that is a very astute observation. We are treading in very dangerous waters; there is no doubt about that. That's why I wanted to come back here. We can talk freely here and not worry about eve-droppers."

Bella looked really worried now as she unconsciously swirled the ice in her drink. The anger Rodolphus felt with Bellatrix had dulled somewhat after the infusion of alcohol, but he was less than thrilled that she was being forced upon him and in his own home no less. The more he looked at her the more his thoughts drifted to the fact that he had an advantage over her here and ideas of how to press it became distracting. Rodolphus got to his feet.

"Come on, I'll show you where we can practice until the weather gets decent enough to use the lawn."

They went back out into the foyer hallway and stopped in front of a large set of doors that were centered under the main double staircase. Rodolphus waved his wand, the doors swung open and Bella was completely shocked by what they revealed. A magnificent ballroom, with gleaming wooden floors, three enormous, glittering crystal chandeliers and a wall of French doors that led out to an expansive terrace, met her disbelieving eyes. He waltzed across the floor and gestured to the surroundings.

"Well? Don't tell me I managed to render you speechless yet again."

The click-clack of Bella's heels echoed as she slowly walked around the vast hall. The midday sun danced around the chandeliers, animating the room with slices of colorful light. She finally broke her silence.

"Why would you want to destroy such a magnificent room?"

The acoustic quality of the room amplified her voice.

"I'm sure your aim is not that poor, I think we can keep the damage to a minimum." Rodolphus replied sardonically.

Bella did not rise to his taunt.

"Rodolphus, when was the last time this room fulfilled its true purpose?"

He was starting to get a bit annoyed.

"I don't know Bella, I suppose when my parents were still alive. What does it matter?"

She wouldn't let it go.

"This house was made to be full of people and music and champagne. You should have grand parties with glamorous guests."

He really wasn't in the mood to discuss his personal issues.

"I don't really care to play the host; I'd rather be a guest."

Bella muttered under her breath,

"What a bore."

The comment was not lost on Rodolphus.

"I'm hardly a bore. Unlike some people, I don't need a horde of drunken cronies telling me every night how great I am."

Bella, recognizing the dig at her active social life, shot back,

"Your head is so swollen that I can't imagine you even have any friends. And you don't need a horde, not when you have so many whores, feeding your pathetic ego."

Rodolphus kept his anger in check as his stated matter of factly,

"You really are such a shitty, little bitch."

Bella flipped him off as she snapped,

"Go fuck yourself, Rodolphus!"

He smiled sweetly,

"As you just stated, I have whores that perform that duty quite nicely."

About four weeks had passed and Bella and Rodolphus were into their training regimen full tilt. The Dark Lord may have said no death or grievous injury, but he said nothing about working Bella like a disgraced house elf. And that is exactly what Rodolphus was doing. So far Bella had suffered a broken wrist, 2 broken fingers, a dislocated shoulder and more bruises than she could count, plus she was completely exhausted from the grueling schedule of twelve-plus hour days. Rodolphus had suffered too, but 3 broken noses and a lacerated cheek was child's play to the seasoned Death Eater. Today would be no different but Bella was dying to practice outside since the weather was beautiful and the grass would be much softer to fall on than a wooden floor.

"I don't see why you don't want to go outside. It's a perfect day and we are wasting it, cooped up in here."

Rodolphus would have liked nothing more than to kick off his shoes and enjoy his lush, well manicured lawn, but that would make Bella happy and he had no desire to give her any pleasure whatsoever. Instead, he raised his wand and forced Bella to defend herself against another assault.

"Protego!"

She cried as she hastily deflected the spell, slicing it upward through one of the chandeliers and showering them with broken crystal.

"God damn it Bella! Your aim is for shit! Haven't you learned anything at all?"

Bleeding from cuts on the arm that she had used to shield her face from the shattering glass, Bella had reached her breaking point.

"I wasn't ready, you asshole! I am taking a break and I don't give a shit if you like it or not!"

Rodolphus advanced on her menacingly.

"I decide when we take a break and we are not taking one now, so stop bleeding all over my floor and try and block a spell!"

Bella was beyond enraged at this point.

"NO! I am done with this bullshit! Don't think I won't let the Dark Lord know what an absolute ass you have been!"

Rodolphus just laughed,

"I don't think he will care."

Bella tossed her hair and replied haughtily,

"I think you're forgetting that he likes me better than you."

Rodolphus continued to smile as he decided it was time for Bella to find out that her leverage had expired.

"Oh, yes, he likes you so much that, after one kiss, he was so repulsed that he abandoned you in a derelict house."

Her arrogant demeanor faltered,

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Really, you don't remember that kiss that left you hot to trot without a partner?

Bella turned her back on him and started to walk away. Rodolphus was not going to be denied the pleasure of putting her in her place, so he grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.

"Hit a nerve, did I?"

Bella tried to pull away from him as she shrieked,

"You stayed and watched, you sick bastard! I wish the Dark Lord had caught you and castrated you like the dog that you are!"

He tightened his grip and got right in her face as he hissed,

"I had no desire to see you fuck that old man. Fenrir Greyback was the dog that wanted a front row seat for that action."

Bella's eyes grew wide as she stopped struggling.

"W-what..?"

"Oh, yes, you indeed had an audience. Actually, Greyback was ready to step in and take the Master's place after he left you all hot and bothered, but you scurried away before he had a chance to indulge himself."

Bella searched his face, hoping a hint that he was lying, but she knew he wasn't.

"Let go of me."

She felt faintly sick; her voice was barely above a whisper. Rodolphus hesitated for a moment, but then released his grip. Bella turned and walked out onto the terrace. Rodolphus followed and leaned against the stone balustrade, watching as Bella lounged on a cushioned chaise with her eyes closed. Several minutes passed in silence until Bella opened her eyes and inquired,

"Did you know Greyback had stayed behind when the Dark Lord ordered you to leave?"

Rodolphus shook his head,

"No, I had no idea he was hiding and watching. He told me he started out spying on you and I together and, not wanting to get cheated out of a show, decided to risk staying put when the Dark Lord took my place."

"So, why did he tell you what happened? Are you old school buddies with him as well?"

"Good lord, no!" He exclaimed, "Greyback is a repulsive half-breed that I generally do not associate with. He told me because he was looking for support in his dealings with the Death Eaters."

Bella looked puzzled.

"Why would he think you would find that information valuable enough to give him a show of allegiance?"

Rodolphus pretended to be very interested in a lady bug crawling on his pant leg so he would not have to look her face to face as he mumbled,

"I have no idea."

"You must have some notion about his motivation."

Rodolphus shielded his eyes from the sun and avoided the inquiry.

"It's hot as bloody hell out here. I'm going to see if I can find one of my useless elves to bring us a tray of cold drinks."

Several minutes later he returned with an elf in tow, which was carrying a tray laden with a pitcher of lemonade, a bucket of ice, two highball glasses and a bottle of vodka. Rodolphus mixed the drinks tall and strong with plenty of ice. Bella took a sip and then put the cool glass to her forehead.

"Well?"

Rodolphus had pulled over a chaise for himself, as well as a large white umbrella to provide some much needed shade from the afternoon sun. He looked over at her questioningly.

"Well what? Did you want a snack too?"

"No, I want to hear your theory on Greyback and his perversely obtained knowledge. Do you think that he would he have come to you if the outcome had been different?"

Rodolphus closed his eyes as he replied sleepily,

"Who knows? The man, and I use the term man loosely, is certifiable lunatic. Just be glad that you left that night before he had a chance to slick his lust."

Bella knew Rodolphus was trying to avoid this discussion and, after having her arm slashed up, she was enjoying his discomfort immensely.

"So, were you pleased when he told you that the Dark Lord chose not to consummate our relationship?"

Rodolphus did not open his eyes to reply,

"What relationship?"

Bella sipped her drink while she decided how to phrase her response.

"That is exactly the question, isn't it? What is the relationship; is it master and minion or is it something more?"

Rodolphus tried, unsuccessfully, to pretend he was asleep.

"I know you're not asleep, so you might as well just resign yourself to having this conversation."

He opened his eyes, chugged the entire contents of his glass in one long draught and then sat up and fixed his hard gaze on Bellatrix.

"You are like a hippogriff with a ferret. Fine, you want my opinion, here it is. I don't think that you should do anything to encourage the Dark Lord to think of you as anything other than a devoted Death Eater. An affair would not only be dangerous, but it would also damage your credibility among those of us in the inner circle. You have potential and it would be a shame to waste it. Also, I think you require a man capable of a treating you as an equal, in and out of the bedroom and, trust me, You Know Who won't give a damn about your pleasure, or pain."

Bella ran her fingers around the condensation beaded up on her glass while Rodolphus espoused his view on the situation. When he was finished she indicated that her drink needed refreshed with a shake of the leftover ice. Rodolphus obliged and handed it back to her. After a couple of sips, Bella finally spoke.

"I think there is a slight problem that you seem to have forgotten, it's not up to me, is it? Encouraged or not, if the Dark Lord wants to pursue me, what choice do I have but to comply?"

Rodolphus shrugged,

"You could choose to say no."

Bella looked at him in disbelief.

"In other words, I could choose death. Well, as much as you would like that, I don't think that would really work for me."

And she sat back in a huff.

Rodolphus responded in a sensible tone,

"If you were a valuable enough asset as a Death Eater he would probably just torture you. No sense wasting a good soldier over quick shag. Though, in actuality, he would most likely just force you to do what he wanted and be done with it. "

"You're a real charmer Lestrange; I can see why the ladies flock, you being such a shining beacon of sensitivity and all."

Bella's sarcasm was even more exaggerated after the two drinks she had downed. Rodolphus chose not to rise to her taunt.

"I'm just telling it like it is. It's not my fault that you don't like the reality of the situation you have gotten yourself into."

Bella bolted upright.

"Excuse me? The situation I got myself into? How is this my fault?"

"Oh please, when was the last time you met a man who didn't want to get you in bed? Hell, given the right circumstances, I would fuck you and I can't even stand you."

She sat back again as she retorted haughtily,

"The will never be any circumstances that lead to you getting in my knickers, I can promise you that!"

Rodolphus laughed at her,

"I could Imperius you right now and have you on this very chair if I wanted to."

Bella snorted,

"You could, but you won't. That's not your style. You like the art of seduction and the thrill of conquests won, not taken."

Rodolphus nodded and smiled,

"You know me too well. No, I have never had to force a woman; they always fall willingly into my open arms. I don't see the excitement in an unwilling partner, I prefer my women to enjoy the encounter just as much as I do."

Bella crossed her arms and declared,

"Well, I won't be falling into your arms any time soon."

He clinked the ice around in his glass and then muttered slyly,

"I love a challenge, so much more rewarding when you finally capture that prize."